Manufacture of golf-balls.



'No. 696,368. Patented Mar. 25, I902. v

E. KEMPSHALL.

MANUFACTURE OF GOLF BALLS.

(Application filed Jan. 30, 1902.)

(No Model.)

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ELEAZER KEMPSHALL, OE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR- TO THE KEMPSHALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NElV JERSEY.

MANUFACTURE OF GOLF-BALLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,368,

dated March 25, 1 902.

Application filed January 30, 1902. Serial No. 91,814. (No model.)

To (0% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELEAZER KEMPSHALL, a citizen of the United States, residing in Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Mes sachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manufacture of Golfl3alls,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to balls such as used in golf and other games; and its object is to produce a ball of improved quality and increased ei'ficiency, and especially to enable it to carry far whengiven a hard blow without being unduly sensitive to a light blow. I produce a durable ball which is capable of absorbing from an implement a great m0- mentum and which has uniform action, so that a given blow always produces practically the same result, thus conducing to reliability and accuracy of action. In practice I construct the ball with a core of gut-ta-percha, an envelop of soft rubber, and ashell of celluloid.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a view of a finished ball made in accordance with my present improvements, portions thereof being broken away, so as to exhibit its construction; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the manner of compressing a shell upon an inner ball.

In the several Views similar parts are designated by similar letters or characters of reference.

Upon a large gutta-percha sphere A, whose diameter is preferably two-thirds that of the finished ball, I place hemispheres B B, of soft rubber, which is preferably highly vulcanized and of a firm texture. Said hemispheres, taken together, form a yielding envelop for the core, and, if desired, their edges may be caused to adhere, so as to form a complete hollow sphere upon the core. The ball thus formed is placed between hemispherical segments 0 and D, Fig. 2, formed in this instance of celluloid in a suitable condition,preferably somewhat green or not completely cured, and these assembled parts are placed between forming-dies, as E and F, whereupon the dies are brought together by means of suitable mechanism, whereby the shells (which are preferably too large to fit snugly in the dies) are forced together until their edges are in intimate contact, preferably eifecting a weld. The material of the halfshells is cemented or otherwise put in proper condition for the adherence of their edges under pressure, and when required the dies may be heated by steam or otherwise for bringing the material of the segments into suitable condition and consistency for compressing and uniting them and completing the ball, as at G, Fig. 1. If desired, the outersurface of the envelop B, or the inner surface of the shell-segments, or allof said surfaces may be firstgiven an application of suitable material or otherwise treated orprepared, so that the shell may be caused to cling or adhere more tenaciously to the said envelop B.

The abutting edges of the original segments at O and D may be made somewhat full, thereby to furnish material for properly forming the joint between them as they are subjected to the final compression, at which operation the ball is finally shaped and at the same time the material of the shell is com pressed between the dies and the resisting center piece within the shell. The center pieceis first prepared somewhat'oversize, and when the shell is compressed and welded over the same the resistance of the center piece while under such compression furnishes a substantial support for sustaining the shell against the pressure of the forming-dies. The latter are preferably telescopic and effective to force back into the shell such material as may squeeze out at first between the approaching die-faces at G. The shell is allowed to cool before the completed ball is removed from the dies. The compressing and heating solidifies and toughens the celluloid, so that it becomes highly resistant or springy and practically indestructible and also places the center piece of the envelop B B under compression. The rubber envelop being highly vulcanized is enabled to withstand the heat applied in forming the shell thereon. The envelop B is preferably thicker than the shell G, and the hard core A is preferably of such size as to constitute the body or main portion of the ball. Thus it will be seen that the envelop B is compressed between the hard core A and the hard shell G, the latterbeing in a state of longitudinal tension due to the constant outward pressure of said envelop. The shell G is preferably somewhat thick, tending to avoid denting or violent distortion thereof at one point when sharply struck and to diffuse the distortion over a comparatively large area, thus minimizing consumption of power in changing and rechanging the form of the ball and also, as will be manifest, calling into action a large portion or all of the mass confined within the shell and causing it to cooperate effectually with the latter in instantly restoring the ball to normal form. It Will also be understood that the outward pressure of the envelop B has the usual effect of constantly tending to maintain the shell G in a true spherical form, and hence aids materially in the instant restoration of the shell to its spherical shape after a blow. In other words, the alteration of the shell from its true spherical form diminishes its interior capacity, hence putting under further compression every portion of the mass confined therewithin, including the elastic core A, and since every particle of the imprison ed mass actively opposes such compression the original form of the shell is regained while it is still in contact with the implement, with the result that the ball flies a long distance. Moreover, this very opposition of the confined mass to further compression renders it of especial value as a support or backing for the somewhat frangible material of the shell, inasmuch as by effectively opposing violent distortion at any particular point it prevents the shell from denting sharply enough to produce a crack or rupture, thus improving the capacity of the ball for withstanding harsh usage. It will also be understood that the resilient and rupture-proof characteristics of the ball are greatly augmented by reason of the compressed condition of the envelop B, since it is rendered unnecessary for the shell to yield to a great depth in order to set up in the confined mass a degree of compression sufficient to properly support the shell against a blow. In other words, the first effect of a blow upon a playing-ball is usually to compress the material thereof until the limit of compressionis reached, so that thereafter the implement can only impart momentum to the body of the ball without further distortion of the same; but by having the thick inner envelop B in an initial state of compression the preliminary work of compression to be performed by the implement is materially reduced and the time during which the implement is occupied in compressing the ball is shortened, with the result that it is enabled more effectively to impart momentum directly to the ball, while better opportunity is afforded for the elasticity of the ball to come into play before it leaves the implement. It will also be understood that when the ball is struck lightly by an implement it does not respond to the blow with so much promptness as to render the ball too springy for short drives or plays. In other words, when given a very light blow it acts more like a dead ball; but when given a severe blowitexhibitspentenergy. Although other material than celluloid and even material not analogous thereto may be employed for the shell, still I prefer celluloid. The celluloid shell, it will also be understood, is smooth,and hence'offers a minimum of resistance to the flowing of air over its surface during the flight of the ball, and by reason of its slippery nature receives less opposition from the grass through which it is driven during the game. It not only retains its color, but also resists wear and is not easily clipped by an implement or stone against which it may be driven. In using the term celluloid I refer to celluloid compounds generally and do not limit myself to any particular variety of such compound or to any particular grade or mixture of celluloid composition.

The core A not only itself absorbs momentum from the implement, but also by reason of its solidity prevents undue distortion of the envelop B and as well of the shell G, most of the force going from the implement to the ball being hence utilized to impart velocity thereto. It will also be understood that under the shock of a blow the solid core, if slightly displaced from its true central position, affects somewhat the material of the envelop G at the opposite side of the ball from the implement and also affects other portions of the envelop, so that by reason of such displacement alarge amount of the material of the envelop is called into action and powerfully reacts, thereby imparting a higher degree of activity orliveliness to the ball and causing the same to leave the implement at higher velocity.

An important advantage of my invention resides in the durability of the ball, since for the envelop B,,I employ rubber of firm texture and highly vulcanized, and hence not liable to deterioration, so that the ball not only withstands severe usage, but remains in its original elastic condition for a long time and remains intact even if the shell is destroyed. Moreover, the rubber envelop may be heavy in proportion to its bulk, thus enabling considerable weight to be'stored in a small shell, thus avoiding air resistance, while having capacity for prolonged flight. Moreover, my improved ball has a uniform solidity or density, and hence the same blow always produces the same result, enabling the user to play to better advantage. The core R is well centered in the envelop and the latter in the shell, so that the ball tends to run true instead of in a sinuous path, as is the case with some playing-balls.

My present improvements are applicable not only to golf-balls, but also at least in part to balls for use in playing billiards and analogous games, and it will be understood that the thickness of the shell. and also the firmness and relative size of the center pieces may be varied in accordance with the requirements of any particular game or use for Which the balls may be employed.

The exterior surface of golf-balls may be pebbled or scored. In Fig. l the ball is represented as furnished on the exterior surface with relatively slight elevations of a sphere ical conformation. In billiard-balls of course the outer surface should usually be smooth and spherical.

Many variations in construction, arrangement, and method may be resorted to Within the scope of my invention.

In my application filed September 27, 1901, Serial No. 76,814, is described and claimed a playing-ball having a celluloid shell compressed upon a yielding filling or core, and in an application filed by me December 18, 1901, Serial No. 86,348, is claimed the process of making a ball with a celluloid shell. 111 my other pending application, Serial No. 88,065, filed January 2, 1902, I show a shell compressed upon a solid sphere of soft rubber. The claims herein are limited to novel features of invention not disclosed in said applications.

The herein-described playing-ball is .made the subject-matter of my other pending application filed December 18, 1901, Serial No. 86,346.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. A process in producing playing-balls consisting in providinga hardcore with a thick, solid, soft-rubber envelop, inclosing said envelop in a shell formed from hard, wear-re sisting plastic material, heating said shell to such an extent as to soften it, compressing the same to. such an extent as to compress said soft rubber, and. maintaining the compression until the shell cools and hardens.

2. Aprocess in producing a playing-ball, consisting in providing a core of gutta-percha with a solid rubber envelop and heating and compressing thereon a shell consisting partially or Wholly of celluloid.

3. A process in producing a playingball, consisting in compressing a body of soft rubber between a hard core and a hard, Wearresisting shell While the latter is in a plastic condition, and causing said shell to harden While compressed, thereby to hold said rubber under permanent. compression.

4. A process in forming a playing-ball, consisting in providing a spherical gutta-percha core with a highly-vulcanized firm rubber envelop, compressing upon said envelop a heated shell of plastic material, and causing said shell to harden While under compression.

5. A process in forming a playing-ball, consisting in providing a spherical gutta-percha core with a highly-vulcanized firm rubber envelop, compressing upon said envelop a heat ved shell of plastic celluloid, and causing said shell to harden While under compression.

6. A process in forming a playing-ball, consisting in combining a spherical core of hard material with a thick rubber envelop, compressing upon said envelop heated segments of wear-resisting material, so as to compact and Weld said segments and also place said rubber under compression, and causing said shell to harden While under compression.

'7. A process in forming a playing-ball, consisting in combining a spherical core ofhard material With a highly-vulcanizedthick rubber envelop, compressing upon said envelop heated hemispherical segments of celluloid, so as to compact and Weld said segments and also place said rubber under compression, and

causing said shell to harden While under coinpression.

8. A process in producing playing-balls,

consisting in compressing a plastic shell upon a soft-rubberand gutta-percha filling so as to put said rubber in a state of compression, and hardening said shell While undercompression.

9. A process in producing playing balls, consistingin heating a previously-formed celluloid shell and compressing it upon a sphere of soft rubber inclosing a core of gutta-percha.

10. A process in making playing-balls, consisting in heating and pressing shell-segments together over a soft-rubber sphere containing a core of gutta-percha soas to compress the 9 soft rubber and also to cause the edges of the shell-segments to weld, and hardening said shell while under compression.

11. A process in making playing-balls, consisting in placing a gutta-percha sphere betweenhemispheres of soft rubber, pressing hot shell-segments together over said filling so as to cause the edges of the segments to unite, to compress the soft rubber and also to compress the shell to final size, and cansing the shell to harden While under compression.

12. A process in making playing-balls, c011- sisting in making a filling at least partially of gutta-percha and highly-vulcanized soft rubber, making hemispherical celluloid segments, heating and compressingthe segments over the filling, so as both to compress the latter and also to cause the edges of thecelluloid to Weld or unite, and hardening the celluloid while'under compression.

ELEAZER KEMPSHALL.

Witnesses:

B. C. STICKNEY, FRED. J. Donn. 

